A Turkish agricultural company faces accusations of unlawfully felling 300 trees and constructing four holiday lodges within a protected ancient woodland in West Yorkshire.
Azara Gid San, a firm allegedly involved in producing and exporting olive oil and spices in Turkey, purchased the 33-acre site known as Jacobs Farm in Silsden, near Keighley, for £1.05million some two years ago.
The company now stands accused of felling hundreds of trees and erecting the lodges, along with septic tanks and access roads, all without obtaining planning permission.
The woodland, estimated to be more than five centuries old, provides habitat for protected species such as bats and breeding birds.
Bradford District Council responded by issuing an enforcement notice, requiring the site be returned to its original condition.
The enforcement notice details extensive unauthorised construction on the site, including five large concrete pads – four of which now support holiday homes – along with four septic tanks and an access track.
Council officials have also identified stockpiled earth and aggregate being stored on the land without authorisation.
The notice demands that all alterations to the site be reversed within six months of March 3, with 300 replacement trees to be planted by March 2027 to restore what authorities describe as "irreplaceable" woodland.
Azara Gid San purchased the 33-acre site known as Jacobs Farm in Silsden, near Keighley, for £1.05 million some two years ago
|BRADFORD COUNCIL
Azara Gid San has appealed the enforcement notice, insisting it is an "innocent party" in the matter, and that construction occurred before the company acquired the property.
The firm said all works were "completed prior to the acquisition of the site" and have "become immune, due to the passage of time".
Sam Dewar, Director of Dewar Planning Associates, representing the firm, said the enforcement notice is not "justified".
He said: "Whilst we accept that the alleged buildings and hardstanding were built without planning, our understanding is that they were completed prior to my clients purchase, albeit apart from the forestry maintenance building."
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The firm's representatives described the council's approach as "extremely disappointing" and "very aggressive", adding they would be "more than happy to come to a suitable solution".
Bradford Council firmly rejected the company's claims, pointing to satellite imagery as evidence against the timeline defence.
A council spokesman said: "Google Earth images demonstrate that there is no evidence of development taking place on the land prior to May 2025."
Officials also noted the landowner has failed to take any action to address the breach of the Stop Notice previously issued while further works were carried out.
The council maintains the works have caused a 'harmful effect', and diminished the appearance of the Airedale Landscape
|BRADFORD COUNCIL
The firm argued the lodges would benefit local tourism following Bradford's tenure as UK City of Culture in 2025 - dismissed by the authority as the "small benefit would not represent very special circumstances to outweigh the demonstrable harm to the greenbelt".
The council maintains the works have caused a "harmful effect" and diminished the appearance of the Airedale Landscape, situated within the South Pennine Moors Special Protection Area.
Wildlife organisations have also expressed alarm over the damage to the ancient woodland, which contains rich plant life and protected animal species.
Penny Hunt, Co-Founder of Yorkshire Dales Wildlife Rescue, said: "Ancient woodlands are incredibly special and are absolutely irreplaceable.
"Our wildlife populations are in a precarious state and healthy woodlands give them a safe home from which to thrive."
Property records from Carter Jonas Estate Agents indicate the land was sold two years ago, with the listing mentioning three existing properties, but providing no details of the alleged construction works.
An appeal hearing to determine the outcome of the dispute is scheduled for July 21.